Yankees acquire McCarthy from Diamondbacks

ATLANTA (AP) The New York Yankees acquired help for their depleted rotation on Sunday by acquiring veteran right-hander Brandon McCarthy from Arizona.

The Diamondbacks also are sending New York cash in Sunday's deal for left-hander Vidal Nuno.

The move comes after Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia had a setback with a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee. New York was unable to work out a trade this week for the Cubs' Jeff Samardzija, who instead was dealt to Oakland.

McCarthy, who turns 31 on Monday, was 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA with Arizona this season. In nine seasons with the White Sox, Rangers, A's and Diamondbacks, McCarthy is 45-60 with a 4.21 ERA.

''McCarthy is an experienced starter that we expect to pitch well for us,'' Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. ''I know he's had his struggles, but he's seemed to turn it around. He has a good arm. His last few starts have been pretty good.''

McCarthy won his past two starts, allowing a combined total of three runs in wins over the Padres and Pirates. He opened the season with six straight losses.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sought an upgrade to the rotation for weeks. Sabathia is out indefinitely, possibly for the season, and the Yankees also lost Ivan Nova to Tommy John surgery.

McCarthy said he was informed of the deal after he reported for Sunday's game against the Braves. He will leave the last-place Diamondbacks and join a playoff race with New York.

''It's something I'm really excited about,'' McCarthy said.

McCarthy said he is sad to be leaving Arizona, but added the move to New York is special.

''It's still the Yankees, no matter what,'' McCarthy said. ''If you don't know baseball, you know the Yankees.''

McCarthy planned to fly from Atlanta to meet the Yankees in Cleveland, where they open a series on Monday.

Nuno, 26, was 2-5 with a 5.42 ERA in 17 games, including 14 starts, with the Yankees. He was hurt by allowing 15 homers - including 13 at home - in 78 innings this season.

Nuno said the trade gives him ''another journey that I'm going to pursue in Arizona.''

''I have to prove myself out there, starting on Tuesday,'' said Nuno, who is a native of San Diego.

''It's not disappointing, it's part of baseball. It is what it is, close to home, family see me a little bit more. The journey of coming up here, getting to major leagues and all the opportunities I got. I appreciate everything they gave me and all the learning experience.''

Girardi said it was difficult to see Nuno leave.

''It's been kind of a tough day,'' Girardi said. ''Nuno did a great job for us, stepped in and did a good job for us last year. But it's an opportunity for him to start in Arizona and I know he appreciates that as well.''

McCarthy, a groundball pitcher, may be better suited for Yankee Stadium.

The Diamondbacks have made two trades in as many days. On Saturday, Arizona acquired two minor leaguers, outfielder Zach Borenstein and right-hander Joey Krehbiel, from the Los Angeles Angels for left-hander Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana.

Gibson said Nuno will make his debut with Arizona on Tuesday against Miami. Nuno had been scheduled to start for the Yankees on Monday, and Gibson said he wanted to give the young left-hander an extra day to adjust to his new team.

Girardi said he didn't immediately have a replacement starter for Nuno in Monday's game.

''I'm not exactly sure when McCarthy will be here,'' Girardi said. ''He won't start (Monday). We'll fit him into the rotation somewhere.''

The Yankees also called up right-hander Bruce Billings from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Outfielder Alfonso Soriano was designated for assignment.

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AP correspondents Amy Jinkner-Lloyd in Atlanta and Brian Hall in Minneapolis contributed to this report.